In this episode of the podcast, we chat with the wonderful Gwyn ap Harri, the CEO of XP Trust, to explore innovative educational practices and the importance of character building in schools. One of Gwyn's schools, XP Gateshead won Edufuturists Secondary School of the Year 2025.
Gwyn discusses the concept of 'crew' as a foundational element of XP Trust's approach, emphasising the need for a shared language and community engagement. The conversation goes down lots of rabbit holes into the significance of curriculum design that connects students to their local history and culture, fostering civic pride and a sense of belonging.
He also shares insights on the future of education, advocating for a shift towards valuing character alongside academic achievements, drawing lots of inspiration from schools like High Tech High and Expeditionary Learning.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:06 Journey to XP Trust
02:07 Inspiration from High Tech High
07:00 The Concept of Crew in Education
12:21 Building Relationships Through Crew
17:15 Curriculum Integration and Expeditions
22:17 Community Engagement and Education
23:13 The Importance of Local Context in Education
24:34 Empowering Working-Class Voices
26:14 Dignity and Identity in Education
28:51 Inspiring Change Makers
30:57 Navigating Compliance and Creativity in Education
34:36 Inevitability of Change in Education
38:02 Humility and Impact in Educational Leadership
40:23 Quickfire Questions and Reflections
Thanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.
Ben & Steve x
Championing those who are making the future of education a reality.
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